Face-protector.



H. FULFORD.

FACE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

1,270,139. Patentd June 18, 1918.

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fiarf/ FEM/0rd v HARRY FULFOBD, 0F CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND.

FACE- PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1918.

Application filed February 23, 1918. Serial No. 218,712.

To all whom z'tma concern:

Be it known t at I, HARRY FULFolm, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Cranston, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Face-Protectors, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to the construction of goggles or the like, and more particularly to the construction of the lens frames of the goggles; and the invention has for its object to provide a flexible fabric such as rubber covered cloth, leather, or other suitable flexible material of a size adapted to protect the face of a workman such as acetylene welders, autogenous welders, miners, automobilists or for other purposes for which the protector may be adapted, the invention relating more particularly to the construction of the so-called lens frames which are adapted to receive and retain the lenses in position in the fabric against any possibility of a leak therethrough of gas or the like under any pressure; also to provide means for securing the fabric to the lens frame in such a way that it is impossible for air or other gas to leak therethrough under any pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide these frames of a very thin, light material so that it may be readily rolled, spun or swaged into the desired shape.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my improved lens frames as applied to a pair of face protecting goggles. a

Fig. 2- is an en rged sectional view with the center portion broken away, showing my improved form of lens frame as drawn up from sheet stock.

Fig. 3- is a sectional edge view of the binding rin with the center portion removed whic ring assists in securing the fabric to the lens frame.

Fig. 4 is a view partially in section, showing the lens as bound in position in the frame by the rolling of the edge of one of the flanges over that of the lens, binding the same with its packing against the seat of the base plate; also showing the fabric and ring in position before its flange has been rolled thereover.

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged view showng a section of the frame; also showing the inner flange as rolled over the locking ring and binding the edge of the fabric securely to the frame against any possibility of tearing out or leaking gas therethrough.

.Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the fabric which may be of rubber, leather, canvas or other suitable flexible material which may be shaped to fit the face, and employed for any suitable purpose such as that of protecting the face of aworkumn, such as autogenous welders, miners, automobilists, or other operators against the action of air pressure or gas pressure or the like, which protecting material may be held in position on the face of the wearer by a strap 11 which may be buckled around the back of the head, or the protector may be held by other suitable means (not shown).

The so-called lens frames are primarily for the purpose of receiving and binding the windows 18 which may be of glass, celluloid or other suitable transparent material, which for convenience are herein called the lenses.

Each of these frames 13 is preferably constructed of sheet metal or other suitable, bendable material, the same being drawn up into somewhat of a tubular form having one portion of a diameter greater than that of the other. The construction provides a base plate 14 between the two diameters, which is on a plane parallel with that of the lens, presently described, and is provided with an. annular groove 15 which is formed by pressing the metal inwardly from the outer surface, forming a corresponding rib 16 on the inner side of the plate.

On the outer edge of this base plate is formed an outwardly extending flange 17 providing somewhat of a cup shaped member into which is set the lens 18 of corre sponding shape onto a rubber or soft flexsuflicient to tightly bend it against the pack-,

" air or gas tight.-

By rolling the edge 20 of the lens frame over the lens an annular protecting rib is raised about the lens which prevents its surface from becoming scratched as the frames are moved about.

Another feature of this invention is that the outwardly extending flange 21 which is formed on the inner edge of this base plate 1 1 passes through a corresponding opening in the fabric 10, to be fastened thereto.

Next is positioned the binding ring 23 which has its outer edge 24 rolled inwardly, the outer surface of the face 25 of this ring being provided with an annular depression 26 forming a corresponding rib 27 on its under face. When this ring is placed over the fabric about the neck of the outwardly turned flange 21, the annular rib 27 registers with the annulargroove 15 in the base plate 14:. The outer edge of this flange 21 is now rolled outwardly in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 5, turning the fabric over the inner edge of the ring and causing theedge of the flange 21 to be inserted into the groove 26 of the ring with a gripping pressure, whereby the flexible material is'forced into the recess 15 and so is bound, locked and sealed air-tight about the lens frames against any pressure of air or gas.

I have shown and described the lens frames as being circular, but the same may be made in any shape desired.

These lens frames are extremely simple and inexpensive in construction and by rolling or spinning and pressing the rolledover edges firmly down in position, the joints of both of the lenses and of the fabric are made absolutely tight.

The foregoing description is directed solely toward the construction illustrated, but I desireit to be understood that I reemme seated on said base and the outer edge of said flange being rolled inwardly over that of said lens to bind it in place, the inner flange extending through a corresponding opening in the flexible protecting material, a binding plate lying against said material and said inner flange being rolled outwardly over said material and plate to bind the Whole to said base portion.

2.- A lens frame formed of sheet metal and having an outer and an inner flange formed on opposite edgesof a narrow base portion, the lattenhaving an open center portion, said base being provided with an annular groove formed from the outer side inwardly, a lens seated on said base within the outer flange, the latter being rolled over that of the former, the inner flange extending through a corresponding hole in the protecting material, a binder ring posi- V tioned on said material having an annular" depression on one face forming a rib on its opposite face, said rib registering with the groove in said base, and the edge of said inner flange being rolled over said ring with its edge entering said groove in said ring with a gripping pressure whereby said 

